Top Shanghai neighborhoods

Huangpu - The Bund

Sitting pretty opposite Shanghai’s sleek skyscrapers, The Bund is the city’s original financial heart. Grand art-deco and neoclassical buildings left by the city’s former landlords are elegant sym…

Sitting pretty opposite Shanghai’s sleek skyscrapers, The Bund is the city’s original financial heart. Grand art-deco and neoclassical buildings left by the city’s former landlords are elegant symbols of colonial trading. You’ll look into Shanghai’s modern future from Pudong Riverside Promenade with its city skyline views and night-time illuminations. If you fancy a taste of old Shanghai, try the delicacies on offer at a traditional tea house around Nanjing Road.

Pudong

Shanghai’s gleaming skyscrapers jut out from Pudong’s Lujiazui financial district. On this side of the Huangpu River you’ll taste modern, urban China in its powerful business homeland. If you fanc…

Shanghai’s gleaming skyscrapers jut out from Pudong’s Lujiazui financial district. On this side of the Huangpu River you’ll taste modern, urban China in its powerful business homeland. If you fancy a bird’s eye view of the bustling city streets, you can literally float above them on the Oriental Pearl Tower’s glass observation floor. Catch its mesmerizing night-time lights from the sky-high observation deck at the nearby Shanghai World Financial Center.

Xuhui

As part of Shanghai’s French Concession, Xuhui hints to a colonial past. Tree-lined boulevards, pavement bistros, and classical buildings jump out from the city’s commercial bustle. You can swan a…

As part of Shanghai’s French Concession, Xuhui hints to a colonial past. Tree-lined boulevards, pavement bistros, and classical buildings jump out from the city’s commercial bustle. You can swan around colonial mansions, including that of Song Qinling where you’ll discover period furnishings, magnolia tree-filled grounds, and a Stalin-donated limousine. Jump back into modern life in Xuhui’s fashionable shopping district, before joining trendy locals for drinks at a nearby bar.

Changning

Old-style villas are dotted among skyscrapers in Shanghai’s residential Changning. The shiny heights of Cloud Nine are where you’ll find international shops, designer boutiques, and the city’s sma…

Old-style villas are dotted among skyscrapers in Shanghai’s residential Changning. The shiny heights of Cloud Nine are where you’ll find international shops, designer boutiques, and the city’s smartest bars. Grab a cocktail in one of the stylish lounges to prepare yourself for the dizzying skyline city views. If you’re an early-bird, head to Zhonshan Park to catch locals taking dance classes, bike riding, and socializing in the morning sun.

Hotel types

Best Shanghai hotels

Shanghai is China's largest city and seaport and sits at the mouth of the Yangzi River. The city is actually bisected by the Huangpu River with the skyscrapers of the financial Pudong district dominating the eastern side and landmark historic attractions centered on People's Square to the west. It is a cultural hotbed, featuring circus, ballet, theater, and opera. The city is also host to 2010 World Expo and thus now is as good a time as any to book a hotel in Shanghai.

When to visit Shanghai

All four seasons are ideal times to travel to Shanghai, with average January temperatures around 48ºF and average July temperatures in the region of 88ºF, meaning the decision to book a resort hotel in summer may pay off to help cool down after a long day of sightseeing.

How to get to Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) is around 18 miles from downtown Shanghai and a Maglev train links the city and airport. Long-distance trains are another way to get to the city as are ships. There are also subway services around the city.

Shanghai attractions

Shanghai's most famous venue for sightseers is the waterfront Bund, an avenue lined with dozens of attractive colonial buildings from different architectural eras, as well as restaurants, bars, luxury hotels and shops. Distinctive landmarks in Pudong are the Oriental Pearl Tower, a TV tower close to the luxury Pudong Shangri-La and also the 101-story Shanghai World Financial Centre with its stratospheric observation deck. In the western part of the city are some of the major attractions in Shanghai, including the Temple of the Jade Buddha. People's Square is the site of a number of museums, the most popular being the Shanghai Museum

Where to stay in Shanghai

Hotels.com offers a great variety of Shanghai accommodation, including 5-star hotels in the financial zone, and the place is blessed with more than 100 four-star hotels scattered throughout the city.

Most recent review

"This was my first stay at the Longemont. I was greeted by the doorman upon arrival. He immediately took my bags and directed me to the check in counter. I was warmly welcomed at the reception desk. Check in took just a few minutes. The lobby was beautiful with a stunning Christmas tree on display..."

Most recent review

"Awesome hotel, put me in a corner room overlooking century park. Room was very opulent, staff was helpful, hotel was clean, loved it! The neighborhood is nothing special but the hotel is directly outside of a subway stop which is extremely convenient. One stop away from the maglev. My room was on..."

Most recent review

"Great hotel and excellent staff. Not perfect due to the plug sockets in the room not working properly and room service actually forgot my order entirely. The member of staff was very apologetic but sadly it affects how I rated the service as a result."